Scan barcode
hannahhenryhaas's review against another edition
2.75
I've never been so simultaneously intrigued and bored. Fascinating magic system, interesting gender observations, endless (and I do mean endless) descriptions of cups of tea.
scissortailsky's review
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
Really lovely, low-stakes, domestic slow burn romance (M/NB) with lots of everyday garden/magic/community building (and minimal baddies, routed early, no surprise late return).
monstercat's review
4.0
Nothing much happens in this book, but that’s okay. Crook creates a world full of interesting characters that support each other as they go about their day-to-day lives, and it’s a lovely world to visit when the real world is stressful.
therealtiuri's review
4.0
If this is the sort of book you like, reading this is like wrapping a warm fluffy blanket around you while drinking something hot and healthy. It's sweet and tender filled with food, soooo much food and tea. There's plenty of magic but not the flashy kind of magic, this is the nurturing kind of magic. The characterisation is amazing, the world building is intentionally hazy while still providing lots of interesting details. Some open-ended story lines, this is part 1 after all, but a very satisfying conclusion regardless.
wils7501's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book was highly recommended to me by a friend. I read it, and then read reviews and I can multiple sides to this book. This book was one of the most relaxing and comforting things I've read in a long time. It is very mellow and very slice-of-life. There are no major conflicts, no angst, and it's a slow burn.
One thing I like about this author and the books I've read is the way the reader is just placed into a new world. There really is no explanation, no info dumps, it just is. When done right the characters and society are there to unfold as the book progresses and it is well done here. There are some areas of the larger society and history that I would love to have explored more, but think those things could make their own tales - like the Tech areas and what happened to change the world into its current state.
For the romance aspect, it is slow burn and sweet. I've seen some reviews say that there are parts that are unrealistically quick and they have issues with that. and yeah, I do understand those. At the same time, I've read plenty of insta-love and insta-lust stories that insta-friends/family, isn't outside the box and is rather a nice change. Arthur and Jade know they have a connection almost from the first. They take things slow. Arthur is starting to learn to open up and let others in closer and Jade has made a major life change and is learning to be who they really are and the process is nice. It is sweet and calm and comfortable.
A few points that were a bit tedious were all the repetition of some words and also of food, eating and tea making/drinking. I like learning about other foods and cultures through books but at the same time, there is a huge amount of eating in all the books I've read by the author It's gets to feel like a bit much when half of a book if about food, either obtaining it, cooking it or eating it. That being said, the food portions often do show the more cohesive "family" feel that the books have, but there are soooo many of them.
Overall a good, comfortable and happy read. I hope that the books by this author will eventually be on audio with a good narrator. They are perfect for curling up with on a chilly day with a craft project and hot beverage.
One thing I like about this author and the books I've read is the way the reader is just placed into a new world. There really is no explanation, no info dumps, it just is. When done right the characters and society are there to unfold as the book progresses and it is well done here. There are some areas of the larger society and history that I would love to have explored more, but think those things could make their own tales - like the Tech areas and what happened to change the world into its current state.
For the romance aspect, it is slow burn and sweet. I've seen some reviews say that there are parts that are unrealistically quick and they have issues with that. and yeah, I do understand those. At the same time, I've read plenty of insta-love and insta-lust stories that insta-friends/family, isn't outside the box and is rather a nice change. Arthur and Jade know they have a connection almost from the first. They take things slow. Arthur is starting to learn to open up and let others in closer and Jade has made a major life change and is learning to be who they really are and the process is nice. It is sweet and calm and comfortable.
A few points that were a bit tedious were all the repetition of some words and also of food, eating and tea making/drinking. I like learning about other foods and cultures through books but at the same time, there is a huge amount of eating in all the books I've read by the author It's gets to feel like a bit much when half of a book if about food, either obtaining it, cooking it or eating it. That being said, the food portions often do show the more cohesive "family" feel that the books have, but there are soooo many of them.
Overall a good, comfortable and happy read. I hope that the books by this author will eventually be on audio with a good narrator. They are perfect for curling up with on a chilly day with a craft project and hot beverage.
hamalee's review against another edition
2.5
For Pete's sake talk about a slow burn. Another review said this felt like fanfiction even though the characters are original, and that is very accurate.
There is absolutely zero conflict or plot. It's just 2 cinnamon rolls going about their life, developing a new relationship, and building family. There is A LOT of text dedicated to meals and snacks. Like, a lot. Too much really. And many many words to not actually develop the details of the magic system here or the nuances of all the different community history/interactions. Which is a shame, because it has a lot of potential.
There is absolutely zero conflict or plot. It's just 2 cinnamon rolls going about their life, developing a new relationship, and building family. There is A LOT of text dedicated to meals and snacks. Like, a lot. Too much really. And many many words to not actually develop the details of the magic system here or the nuances of all the different community history/interactions. Which is a shame, because it has a lot of potential.
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I had a long review of this written that was unfortunately lost, because I had a lot to say about it. It's a slow, gentle book with virtually no conflict which under other circumstances I would have no patience for but in this case what was there just hit every right button for me.
whiskeyinfusedvampire's review against another edition
4.0
Although it's about completely original characters, it's got that fan-fiction vibe about it. A lot of food porn, maybe too much, and a lot of tea. So much tea. I like how Arthur and Jade take their relationship slow and steady, until both know for sure how they feel. It was a little slow near the end, drawled on for a little more than it needed. I like the little moments between characters, I think that's its strength. All the little moments. And there are a lot. It was overall enjoyable! If you're looking for that ao3 fluff kind of feel, this is a good book to go for.
llpantz's review
5.0
Perfectly at peace
This book is a nice, slow, warm hug. There is little to no conflict. It is just the story of the two people learning each other and their places in their community. It's a story of magic and relations and I enjoyed every peaceful moment of it.
This book is a nice, slow, warm hug. There is little to no conflict. It is just the story of the two people learning each other and their places in their community. It's a story of magic and relations and I enjoyed every peaceful moment of it.